🌱 County Assessor Orders Tax Evaders Repay $254K + Nearby Shooting

Hello, Oak Park-River Forest! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Because community information is power! I'll get right to it.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 78 Low: 64.

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🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Oak Park-River Forest! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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Here are the top stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has ordered four people to repay a total of $254,298 for years of tax breaks they shouldn't have gotten. This action comes after a series of Chicago Sun-Times reports exposed certain questionable tax breaks. In a rare move for the assessor's office, a dead mobster's case has been turned over to the Cook County state's attorney's office to determine whether any laws were broken in wrongfully claiming the exemptions that reduced the property tax bills for the home. (Chicago Sun-Times)
2. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County promises that this year's Insect Fest will be its most fun one yet! The organization has many activities planned for the Insect Fest, including going on a bug hunt, exploring insects through dance and movement, and following the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies. (Forest Preserve District of Cook County via Facebook)
3. On Wednesday (Jul. 6) afternoon, a 19-year-old was gunned down in Douglass Park while waiting for his mother who was at a doctor's appointment. Police responded to the 1600 block of South Farrar Drive, located in the park, at around 1 p.m., to investigate a report of a shooting. Giovanni Flores was eating lunch in the park after dropping his mother off at nearby Mt. Sinai for a doctor's appointment when a gunman approached and shot him in the head and neck. (WGN TV Chicago)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Farmers' Market - Village of Oak Park (7:00 AM)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions in Oak Park! (9:00 AM)
• Book Bike: What's in Your Garden - Oak Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Department of Public Health is reporting that 146 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week's update. The new cases translate to a rate of 268 cases per 100,000 residents, according to health officials. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• Residents interested in keeping up with local municipal policymaking can follow Village Board meetings at www.oak-park.us/boardtv, where meetings are streamed live and archived for on-demand viewing. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• After 19 years of leading public works for the village of Oak Park, John Wielebnicki has retired. To read more on this story and others, please visit our website at oakpark.com. (Wednesday Journal via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! Your usual curatory Georgi will be back on Monday with your next update. Have a great weekend!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.